TVO's new series, Odd Squad, helps kids solve mysteries and improve their math skills

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Oct 28, 2014, 10:30 ET

TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - However strange, unusual, or simply zany the problem, it's the Odd Squad's job to set things right again. Equipped with the world's most advanced and unpredictable gadgetry, the new live-action children's and family comedy series, Odd Squad, features two kid agents who solve math-related mysteries CSI-style.

Working in a government agency run by kids in suits, the agents use their knowledge of numbers and math concepts to help solve math mysteries. This educational series is geared towards children in grades 1-2 and designed to get them interested in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and to strengthen their math skills.

Created by Tim McKeon (Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Adventure Time) and Adam Peltzman (The Backyardigans, Wallykazam!), the series help kids become familiar with, and master, key math concepts and operations. For example, when the number zero goes missing all over town, the agents are tasked to find out why. Through their investigation, they learn that zero gives numbers value, depending on whether it's in the ones, tens, or hundreds place. Odd Squad, Season One, includes 16, 30-minute episodes filmed in Toronto on one of Canada's largest children's sets, New Toronto Studios.

The series premieres on TVO on Wednesday, November 26 at 5:30 pm and airs on TVO Monday through Friday at 7:15 am and Mondays at 5:30 pm and Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Odd Squad repeats Saturdays at 2:00 pm and Sundays at 8:00 am; episodes will also be also available on tvokids.com.

"With recent attention focused on math achievement for Ontario's students, we wanted to create a program that educated kids to see the fun and inspiration in everyday math problems," said Pat Ellingson, Creative Head of Children's & Parents' Media, TVO. "Odd Squad is a charming blend of entertainment and education, helping kids to enrich their math skills while also making them laugh, ultimately helping to set children up for success inside and outside the classroom."

"Sinking Ship Entertainment prides itself on creating entertaining and educational series that the whole family will enjoy," said J.J. Johnson, Partner, Sinking Ship Entertainment. "Working in tandem with TVO, we're excited to present our largest production to date, one that takes viewers along with our hilarious kid agents as they solve outlandish cases in this action packed mathematical adventure series."

Kids can join the Odd Squad and challenge themselves to solve math mysteries online. The Odd Squad website, tvokids.com/games/oddsquad, features games Catch the Centigurps – where kids can catch the fuzz balls in sets – and Down the Tubes, which helps children utilize their problem solving skills by helping the pipes run smoothly. The site is available starting Wednesday, November 26 and the Odd Squad experience continues with a series app launching in
January 2015.

About TVOKids
TVOKids exists to help Ontario's 21st-century learners be successful in school and in life. Developed for every kind of young learner and covering virtually all Ontario Curriculum areas for Grades JK-5, TVO-produced children's programs, web activities and mobile apps are built in collaboration with TVO's on-staff educator and classroom-tested to ensure specific educational objectives are met. According to a 2011 Ipsos Reid poll, Ontarians rate TVOKids both the most trusted and most educational children's media brand in Canada. TVOKids airs daily on TVO from 6 am to 7 pm. The award-winning tvokids.com is home to over 170 educational games and TVOKids offers a growing inventory of educational mobile apps for all platforms.

About TVO
TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO
On air:

Over-the-air (may vary in some areas)

Cable: channel 2 (may vary in some areas)

Rogers TV HD: channel 580

Bell Fibe TV HD: channel 1209

Bell Fibe TV SD: channel 209

Bell TV: channel 265

Shaw Direct HD: channel 39

Shaw Direct SD: channel 353

Websites:

tvo.org

tvokids.com